Wraith vs. Ghost — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 7, 2024
Wraiths are often depicted as malevolent spirits with a visible form, linked to a specific individual, whereas ghosts are generally considered the disembodied spirits of the dead, potentially benevolent or malevolent.
Difference Between Wraith and Ghost
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Wraiths are typically portrayed as ominous, malevolent spirits, frequently associated with an individual's death or as a harbinger of it. These entities are often described as having a visible, though eerie, form. Ghosts, on the other hand, are understood to be the disembodied spirits of the dead, with their intentions ranging from benign to malevolent, depending on cultural or individual beliefs.
The concept of a wraith is sometimes used to denote a specific manifestation of a spirit, particularly one that presages death or is directly linked to a deceased individual. Ghosts, whereas, are more broadly defined, encompassing a wide range of spectral phenomena without necessarily indicating a forthcoming death or being tied to one's demise.
Wraiths are often depicted in folklore and media as more actively malevolent or vengeful, focusing on causing harm or fear. Ghosts, however, can have a variety of roles from protectors, messengers, to unsettled spirits, indicating a wider spectrum of purposes and behaviors.
In terms of visibility, wraiths are frequently described or depicted with a distinct, often terrifying, appearance, which can be linked to the manner of their death or their life. Ghosts' appearances are varied, from transparent or barely visible to fully-formed apparitions, reflecting their diverse nature and origins.
The differentiation between wraiths and ghosts can also extend to their origins and cultural interpretations. Wraiths are more specific in lore, often tied to northern European or Celtic folklore, emphasizing their role as omens or agents of doom. Ghosts are universally recognized across cultures, with each culture having its own understanding and interpretation of these spirits, reflecting a vast array of beliefs and attitudes towards the afterlife.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Often malevolent, linked to death omens.
Can be benevolent or malevolent spirits.
Visibility
Typically depicted with a visible form.
Ranges from invisible to fully visible.
Association
Linked to an individual or their death.
Spirits of the dead, not necessarily linked to death omens.
Cultural Origin
More specific to northern European lore.
Universal across cultures with diverse interpretations.
Behavior
Usually vengeful or harbingers of doom.
Behaviors and intentions vary widely.
Compare with Definitions
Wraith
A spirit often seen before a person's death.
The wraith appeared as a spectral figure in the night, foretelling tragedy.
Ghost
Spirits with varied intentions.
The ghost helped uncover the truth about the family's lineage.
Wraith
Often depicted as having a disturbing or frightening visage.
The wraith's ghastly appearance sent shivers down the spine of anyone who saw it.
Ghost
Present in folklore and stories worldwide.
Every culture has tales of ghosts, from vengeful spirits to protective ancestors.
Wraith
A sign indicating someone's imminent demise.
Seeing the wraith was considered an omen of one's impending death.
Ghost
From transparent to solid apparitions.
The ghost appeared at the foot of my bed, barely visible in the moonlight.
Wraith
Specifically connected to a person or their fate.
The wraith of the old monarch was said to visit the castle on the anniversary of their death.
Ghost
The soul of a deceased person.
The ghost of the former homeowner was rumored to wander the halls.
Wraith
A ghostly figure associated with a particular individual.
The wraith of the sea captain roamed the lighthouse, seeking vengeance.
Ghost
From haunting to guiding or protecting the living.
The ghost of the lighthouse keeper saved ships from crashing against the rocks.
Wraith
A ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly before or after their death.
Ghost
In folklore, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal that can appear to the living. In ghostlore, descriptions of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to realistic, lifelike forms.
Wraith
An apparition of someone that is believed to appear as a portent just before that person's death.
Ghost
An apparition of a dead person which is believed to appear or become manifest to the living, typically as a nebulous image
A ghost ship
The building is haunted by the ghost of a monk
Wraith
The ghost of a dead person.
Ghost
Act as ghostwriter of (a work)
His memoirs were smoothly ghosted by a journalist
Wraith
Something faint or insubstantial
"The wraith of a hollow laugh issued silently from his parted lips" (F. Scott Fitzgerald).
Ghost
Glide smoothly and effortlessly
They ghosted up the river
Wraith
A ghost or specter, especially a person's likeness seen just after their death.
Ghost
End a personal relationship with (someone) by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication
I didn't want to ghost her, so we ended up having ‘the talk’ and it was horrible
People who ghost are primarily focused on avoiding their own emotional discomfort
Being ghosted is one of the toughest ways to be dumped
Wraith
An apparition of a person in his exact likeness, seen before death, or a little after; hence, an apparition; a specter; a vision; an unreal image.
She was uncertain if it were the gypsy or her wraith.
O, hollow wraith of dying fame.
Ghost
The spirit of a dead person, especially one that is believed to appear to the living in bodily form or to haunt specific locations.
Wraith
Sometimes, improperly, a spirit thought to preside over the waters; - called also water wraith.
Ghost
A person's spirit or soul
Was sick for months and finally gave up the ghost.
Wraith
A mental representation of some haunting experience;
He looked like he had seen a ghost
It aroused specters from his past
Ghost
A returning or haunting memory or image.
Ghost
A slight or faint trace
Just a ghost of a smile.
Ghost
The tiniest bit
Not a ghost of a chance.
Ghost
An unwanted image on a television or radar screen caused by reflected waves.
Ghost
A displaced image in a photograph caused by the optical system of the camera.
Ghost
An unwanted spectral line caused by imperfections in a diffraction grating.
Ghost
A displaced image in a mirror caused by reflection from the front of the glass.
Ghost
(Informal) A ghostwriter.
Ghost
A nonexistent publication listed in bibliographies.
Ghost
A fictitious employee or business.
Ghost
(Informal) To engage in ghostwriting.
Ghost
To move noiselessly like a ghost
“Two young deer ghosted out of the woods” (Nancy M. Debevoise).
Ghost
To haunt.
Ghost
(Informal) To ghostwrite
Was hired to ghost the memoirs of a famous executive.
Ghost
The spirit; the human soul.
Ghost
The disembodied soul; the soul or spirit of a deceased person; a spirit appearing after death.
Everyone believed that the ghost of an old lady haunted the crypt.
Ghost
Any faint shadowy semblance; an unsubstantial image.
Not a ghost of a chance
The ghost of an idea
Ghost
A false image formed in a telescope, camera, or other optical device by reflection from the surfaces of one or more lenses.
Ghost
An unwanted image similar to and overlapping or adjacent to the main one on a television screen, caused by the transmitted image being received both directly and via reflection.
Ghost
A ghostwriter.
Ghost
A nonexistent person invented to obtain some fraudulent benefit.
Ghost
A dead person whose identity is stolen by another. See ghosting.
Ghost
(Internet) An unresponsive user on IRC, resulting from the user's client disconnecting without notifying the server.
Ghost
(computing) An image of a file or hard disk.
Ghost
(theatre) An understudy.
Ghost
(espionage) A covert (and deniable) agent.
Ghost
The faint image that remains after an attempt to remove graffiti.
Ghost
(video games) An opponent in a racing game that follows a previously recorded route, allowing players to compete against previous best times.
Ghost
Someone whose identity cannot be established because there are no records of him/her.
Ghost
(quantum physics) An unphysical state in a gauge theory.
Ghost
A formerly nonexistent character that was at some point mistakenly encoded into a character set standard, which might have since become used opportunistically for some genuine purpose.
Ghost
(countable) ghost pepper
Ghost
(uncountable) A game in which players take turns to add a letter to a possible word, trying not to complete a word.
Ghost
White or pale.
Ghost slug
Ghost
Transparent or translucent.
Ghost ant
Ghost catfish
Ghost
(attributive) Abandoned.
Ghost town
Ghost ship
Ghost
(attributive) Remnant; the remains of a(n).
Ghost cell
Ghost crater
Ghost image
Ghost
(attributive) Perceived or listed but not real.
Ghost cellphone vibration
Ghost pain
Ghost island
Ghost voter
Ghost
(attributive) Of cryptid, supernatural or extraterrestrial nature.
Ghost rocket
Ghost deer
Ghost
(attributive) Substitute.
Ghost writer
Ghost singer
Ghost
To haunt; to appear to in the form of an apparition.
Ghost
(obsolete) To die; to expire.
Ghost
(literary) To imbue with a ghost-like hue or effect.
Ghost
(ambitransitive) To ghostwrite.
Ghost
(nautical) To sail seemingly without wind.
Ghost
(computing) To copy a file or hard drive image.
Ghost
(GUI) To gray out (a visual item) to indicate that it is unavailable.
Ghost
To forcibly disconnect an IRC user who is using one's reserved nickname.
Ghost
(intransitive) To appear or move without warning, quickly and quietly; to slip.
Ghost
(transitive) To transfer (a prisoner) to another prison without the prior knowledge of other inmates.
Ghost
(slang) To kill.
Ghost
To perform an act of ghosting: to break up with someone without warning or explanation; to ignore someone, especially on social media.
Ghost
(film) To provide the speaking or singing voice for another actor, who is lip-syncing.
Ghost
The spirit; the soul of man.
Then gives her grieved ghost thus to lament.
Ghost
The disembodied soul; the soul or spirit of a deceased person; a spirit appearing after death; an apparition; a specter.
The mighty ghosts of our great Harrys rose.
I thought that I had died in sleep,And was a blessed ghost.
Ghost
Any faint shadowy semblance; an unsubstantial image; a phantom; a glimmering; as, not a ghost of a chance; the ghost of an idea.
Each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Ghost
A false image formed in a telescope by reflection from the surfaces of one or more lenses.
And he gave up the ghost full softly.
Jacob . . . yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people
Ghost
To die; to expire.
Ghost
To appear to or haunt in the form of an apparition.
Ghost
A mental representation of some haunting experience;
He looked like he had seen a ghost
It aroused specters from his past
Ghost
A writer who gives the credit of authorship to someone else
Ghost
The visible disembodied soul of a dead person
Ghost
A suggestion of some quality;
There was a touch of sarcasm in his tone
He detected a ghost of a smile on her face
Ghost
Move like a ghost;
The masked men ghosted across the moonlit yard
Ghost
Haunt like a ghost; pursue;
Fear of illness haunts her
Ghost
Write for someone else;
How many books have you ghostwritten so far?
Common Curiosities
Can wraiths be considered a type of ghost?
Yes, wraiths can be considered a specific type of ghost, particularly characterized by their malevolence and association with death omens.
What is a wraith?
A wraith is a malevolent spirit often depicted with a visible form, associated with death omens or linked to a specific individual.
Is the appearance of a wraith always a bad omen?
Traditionally, yes, the appearance of a wraith is considered a bad omen, specifically indicating death or tragedy.
How can one differentiate between a ghost and a wraith?
The key differences lie in their nature (wraiths are often more malevolent and linked to death omens) and their appearance (wraiths usually have a more defined and sometimes terrifying form).
Are there any ways to protect oneself from a wraith?
Folklore offers various protections, such as talismans, prayers, or rituals, though these vary widely by culture and belief.
Do all cultures believe in ghosts and wraiths?
While not all cultures may use the terms "ghost" and "wraith," most have some concept of spirits or the afterlife, with beliefs varying significantly across different societies.
Why are wraiths often seen as omens of death?
Wraiths are traditionally seen as omens of death due to folklore that depicts them appearing before or at the moment of an individual's demise, often as a warning or harbinger.
Can ghosts interact with the physical world?
Stories and beliefs vary, but many suggest that ghosts can interact with the physical world, from moving objects to making sounds or even appearing to the living.
What distinguishes a ghost from other spirits?
Ghosts are the disembodied spirits of the dead, which can be benevolent or malevolent, with appearances and intentions that vary widely.
Can wraiths and ghosts find peace?
Many stories and traditions suggest that spirits can find peace when their unfinished business is resolved or they are properly remembered or honored by the living.
Do wraiths have any weaknesses?
In folklore and fiction, wraiths may have weaknesses tied to their origins or the circumstances of their death, such as sacred objects or rituals.
Why do wraiths and ghosts appear to people?
The reasons vary, from unfinished business, desire for revenge, to warning or protecting the living, depending on the spirit's intentions and backstory.
Are wraiths and ghosts only part of superstitions?
While rooted in folklore and superstition, beliefs in wraiths and ghosts also reflect cultural understandings of death, the afterlife, and the human desire to connect with the beyond.
How are wraiths and ghosts depicted in popular culture?
They are widely depicted in literature, film, and games, ranging from horror to fantasy genres, with portrayals reflecting diverse cultural beliefs and artistic interpretations.
Can ghosts be benevolent?
Yes, ghosts can be benevolent, often depicted as guardians, protectors, or messengers trying to convey important information or provide guidance.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
